ARTICLE II.          PURPOSE
The purpose of the Big Bend MGs club is to encourage the members in the acquisition, preservation, restoration, exhibition, and use of MG automobiles and all things pertaining to them; and to disseminate accurate historical and technical information relative to MG automobiles; promote understanding and knowledge of the MG automobile and to foster good fellowship and cooperation between its members and to provide organized events in which interested individuals may participate.

ARTICLE III.          MEMBERSHIP
A. Membership will be granted to any individual without regard to age, sex, race, religion, or national origin who expresses an interest in MGs upon payment of the annual membership fee.
B. Members must agree to abide by the rules of the organization.
C. All members shall have the rights and privileges of membership including voting and holding office.

ARTICLE IV.           OFFICERS AND OFFICIALS
Section 1.    Designation
The Officers of the organization shall be:
Prime Minister
Vice Chancellor
Secretary
Chancellor of the Exchequer

Additional Officials shall be:
Newsletter Editor
Registrar
Equipment Manager

Section 2.    Duties
A. The Prime Minister shall be the chief executive officer of the organization. It shall be the Prime Minister's duty to preside at all regular meetings of the organization and shall call special meetings of the organization or any of its committees. The Prime Minister shall appoint the newsletter editor, registrar, equipment manager, and ad hoc committee chairmen to carry out specific duties relative to the functions of the organization. The Prime Minister or his appointed representative shall formally represent the organization in all relationships with other organizations or agencies.

B. The Vice Chancellor shall serve as assistant to the Prime Minister in all matters concerning the organization, and in the event of vacancy of the office of Prime Minister, shall assume the Prime Minister's office and responsibilities. The Vice Chancellor shall also serve as Activities Director, preparing a yearly schedule which will include local events as well as those events directed by Big Bend MGs Club members.

C. The Secretary shall be responsible for recording and maintaining the regular minutes of all official meetings of the organization. The Secretary shall receive and maintain copies of reports of officers and committees.

D. The Chancellor of the Exchequer (CoE) shall be responsible for all fiscal transactions of the organization. The CoE accounts shall be subject to audit. The CoE shall be responsible for collecting organizational dues. The CoE shall keep the membership informed concerning the organization's financial expenditures.

E. The Registrar shall maintain a current roster of organizational members, issue membership cards, issue notice of dues, and issue cancellations.

F. The Newsletter Editor shall produce and edit the organization newsletter.

G. The Equipment Manager (when this position is assigned) shall maintain all equipment and shall issue this equipment to interested parties.

ARTICLE V.            BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Designation
First and Second Past-Prime Ministers
Current Officers
Current Officials
Three at large delegates

Section 2. Duties
The First Past Prime Minister shall act as Chairman of the Board and preside over meetings of the Board and shall not vote except to break ties. The Board shall be responsible for making organization policy and have authority over expenditure of organizational funds.

Section 3.  Standing Committee
The committee on nominations shall present the slate of officers and board members at the regular October meeting  After presentation they shall prepare the ballot to be mailed to all members in good standing with the October newsletter BIG BEND MGs.

ARTICLE I.           THE OFFICIAL ORGANIZATION YEAR
The official organization year shall begin 1 January and shall last for one calendar year.

ARTICLE II.           DUES
The annual dues of the organization shall be determined by the Board of Directors. Dues are payable in advance of the membership year. Dues for continuing membership are receivable January 1 and expire December 31st.  Membership status shall be terminated when dues have lapsed for sixty (60) days.

ARTICLE III.          REINSTATEMENT OF MEMBERSHIP
Any individual whose membership status has been terminated due to nonpayment of fees during the sixty (60) day grace period may be reinstated by paying the annual membership dues.

ARTICLE IV.           STANDING COMMITTEE
Section 1.   Committee on Nominations
The committee on nominations shall consist of three (3) members: two (2) appointed by the Prime Minister plus the immediate past Prime Minister, who shall act as chairperson. The committee shall prepare nominations for the offices of Prime Minister, Vice Chancellor, Secretary, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the three (3) at large members of the Board of Directors. The nominees shall be selected and the slate presented to the Board of Directors at a board meeting prior to the November meeting.

ARTICLE V.            CONDITIONS OF OFFICE
Section 1.   Terms of Office
The terms of office for all officers and officials shall be one (1) year beginning at the December business meeting.

Section 2.    Vacancies
If a vacancy occurs, other than the Prime Minister as specified under Article IV, Section 2b of the Constitution, it shall be filled by election at the next meeting of the Board of Directors. The Prime Minister shall be empowered to appoint a person pro-tem to fill the vacancy until the time of the next Board of Directors meeting.

ARTICLE VI.           ELECTIONS
Section 1.   Nominations
A. The Committee on Nominations shall prepare nominations for all officers and at large members of the board to be submitted to the membership.
B. Members of the Committee on Nominations shall be ineligible for nomination.
C. Additional nominations from the floor will be accepted provided that the nominee gives an oral or written statement of his willingness to serve.
D. The slate of candidates will be presented to the membership at the October meeting. Votes will be tabulated at the November meeting and winners announced. New officers will be installed at the December meeting.

Section 2.    Election procedures
A. Any club member can run in opposition to the Committee slate. Election of opposed officers and board members shall be by vote of the membership of the organization. The election shall be conducted by the Chairman of the Committee on Nominations. Voting may be by voice, show of hands or secret ballot. Any member may request that voting be by secret ballot and this request must be honored.
B. For officers a majority vote constitutes election. If a majority vote is not received on the first ballot, the two candidates with the most votes will be presented on a second ballot. In cases of a tie on the second ballot, a third vote will be taken by secret ballot and the Prime Minister of the organization shall cast a vote during the third ballot.
C. For members at large of the board of directors, the slate shall be presented and the three (3) nominees with the highest vote on the first round are elected.

ARTICLE VII.          QUORUM
A. One half (1/2) of the members of the Board of Directors at a meeting constitute a quorum.
B. One fourth (1/4) of the organization members constitute a quorum at the November meeting.
C. No action shall be taken without a quorum.

ARTICLE VIII.         AMENDMENTS
Amendments to the Constitution or By Laws may be initiated by a written proposal by any member. A majority vote at the November organization meeting shall be necessary for adoption, providing a quorum is present.

The attached Constitution and By Laws were approved and adopted by the club at a November meeting by a majority vote

on  November 9  1999

Changes approved bold / italic

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Created September 2002